Christian School CompassTrue north for Christian families.

Most selective Christian colleges in California

Christian colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.

Most selective Christian colleges in California12 schools

12 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.

How this list is made

  • Schools in California.
  • Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
  • Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
  • Has an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of a school’s faith life.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Hope International University

    Fullerton, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 33%
    • Average SAT 1020
  2. 2

    Vanguard University of Southern California

    Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 62%
  3. 3

    Pepperdine University

    Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 63%
    • Average SAT 1384
  4. 4

    Fresno Pacific University

    Fresno, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 64%
  5. 5

    Biola University

    La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Admits 74%
    • Average SAT 1261
  6. 6

    Westmont College

    Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Admits 77%
    • Average SAT 1328
  7. 7

    Point Loma Nazarene University

    San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Admits 84%
    • Average SAT 1287
  8. 8

    California Baptist University

    Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 85%
  9. 9

    Azusa Pacific University

    Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Admits 88%
    • Average SAT 1195
  10. 10

    La Sierra University

    Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 92%
  11. 11

    William Jessup University

    Rocklin, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 93%
    • Average SAT 1150
  12. 12

    Life Pacific University

    San Dimas, CA · Private nonprofit
    • Admits 96%

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Hope International University$29,310$23,000$49,69749%
Vanguard University of Southern California$21,241$22,000$59,54157%
Pepperdine University$58,098$23,510$82,93983%
Fresno Pacific University$13,630$23,146$58,89650%
Biola University$31,495$23,875$56,77868%
Westmont College$29,053$23,250$64,77870%
Point Loma Nazarene University$38,729$22,990$63,99877%
California Baptist University$26,285$26,063$61,50462%
Azusa Pacific University$22,212$23,219$66,67762%
La Sierra University$45,566$27,000$61,82460%
William Jessup University$28,062$23,700$56,25756%
Life Pacific University$20,898$22,395$43,29940%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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